Fish + Picket Fence Slat = Cute Wall Decor!!!

So, I was fishing around (get it, "fishing" haha!) for something to put on my kids bathroom wall that I hope to repaint blue soon. I wanted to do something unique and creative in there but time these days just doesn't permit and honestly I couldn't come up with anything that was gender neutral since our kids share the bathroom.

So, I got on one of my favorite sites - www.etsy.com . . . check it out if you haven't! I love looking at things people make and sell!

That is when I saw some super cute fish that a lady had hand painted out of picket fence slats. They were AdOrAbLe!!! And of course the price was pretty not so adorable . . . that is what people don't understand about artwork sometimes is the time and effort it takes in coming up with these creative ideas and then finding the right materials to use and then the actual painting and creating time. It can be pretty time consuming, so keep that in mind when looking at purchasing original artowrk vs something at your local home decor store :).

Right away the light bulb went off and a few days later I went to one of my favorite places, LOWE'S! I ended up purchasing raw wood because the slats were treated and I wanted to start fresh. The wood I purchased was a precut peice from their precut section (which is Fabulous!!!) and it was like $3 per board . . . I purchased 4.

I came up with a template and then my awesome hubby cut them out . . . I tried working on the new Scroll Saw but I felt like after ruining one piece of wood that I just wanted it done right. That's right, I am not a woman of patience . . . I am working on that!!! PLUS Dan really likes that part, so I feel like we are working together. He cuts, I design and paint. TEAM WORK!!!

So after he cut out the fish shapes, I designed the colors etc and then began painting. After painting the first layer on I let it dry for a day. Then I painted on the 2nd design layer. I let that dry for a full day and then I sanded the edges to give it a worn look. I then took a little walnut stain on a rag and aged the edges and parts of the fish.

Add a saw tooth hanger on the back and TADA!!! a fabulous new wall art for about $20!

Stinky Disposal and Dirty Dishes . . . Blech!!!

If your GARBAGE DISPOSAL is anything like mine, it can get quite a stinch sometimes . . . shewwweee!!!
So, here is something I plan on trying today to get rid of that nasty odor!

*Fill a 2cup measuring cup with ice and white vinegar. Turn your disposal ON and begin pouring the ice/vinegar mixture into the running disposal. The ice will help losen up any stuck grime and gunk and the vinegar of course helps with the smell.

*Another stronger solution is while the disposal is off pour in some baking soda then some vinegar into the drain disposal. Wait a few minutes. Then run hot water a few minutes to rinse all the gunk out. The reaction of the soda and the vinegar will cause a chemical reaction to remove the nasty grime.


DISHWASHERS can get to where they don't clean the grit off of the dishes great, so here is a few tips to try that might help . . .

1. Check the filter at the bottom of your dishwasher (it is usually under the spin thing on the inside bottom of the dishwasher . .. like all my technical terms?) :).
2. Put vinegar in a cup on the top rack of your dishwasher and run it on a full cylce without dishes in it and the vinegar will help clean it out. OR you can use 2 or so packets of lemon non-sugar koolaid packets. Simply put the powder into the powder dispenser and turn on your dishwasher without dishes in it. The acid will help clean it out.

Here is a link that gives step by step instructions on giving your dishwasher a cleaning tune-up . . . http://thequickandthehungry.blogspot.com/2011/08/diy-dishwasher-tune-up.html

Happy Cleaning!!!!

Lemons, Lemons, Lemons!!!

I love the clean smell of lemon . . . here are a few cool tips and thrifty ways to use fresh lemons.

*Lemon-Milk Alpha Hydroxy Mask
Both fatty milk and lemons contain Alph Hydroxy Acids and when mixed they boost each others AHA.

1-1/2 Tbsp full-fat milk
1-2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 small wedge of sliced lemon
Small bowl
In your small bowl, combine the lemon juice and milk. Stir well, and dunk in the lemon wedge. Leave this on the counter (do NOT put this in the refrigerator, or you stop the bacterial process that you want). It will curdle and look funny; this is good.
After 3-4 hours, spread it on your clean face and leave on for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse well.(Note: Be careful for a few hours if you’re going out in the sun after this mask, as it will cause photosensitivity.)
**This is known for softening skin tone and facial skin as well!!!

Another lemon tip is mix the lemon peel in with your homemade vinegar cleaners to give it a fresh lemon scent!

Lemon is also known for helping heartburn.

Mayonnaise for cleaning???

Ever purchase a breakable or picture frame and the price tag had been put right on the front of the item or on the front glass of the picture frame??? Ugggh!!! I bought a cute platter on the clearance isle at Ross' over the weekend and sure enough, I couldn't get the price tag off. UNTIL I got out my mayonnaise and rubbed it on the sticky goo! That's right, mayonnaise!!!!

It's easy, simply rub it all over the sticky goo and let it sit for a few minutes and then rub it off. It got ALL of the sticky goo off in one swipe!

Sure wish I had known that trick when we bought a china cabinet 4 years ago and they taped the entire front and sides glass with maskingtape . . . .

Time to clean . . . . better for you and the environment!

We've been busy busy busy with various projects . . . all of them are still in the works so I hope to finish a few soon and post some pics :). Gotta love projects!!!! I sure do!

I've been experimenting a little with homemade cleaners. I use to make my own detergent for the wash machine so why not expand that into some easy, better for you and the environment and cheaper on your wallet homemade cleaners!

Today's post is a super easy and cheap Glass Cleaner ~
The items you will need are as follows:
1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol
1/4 cup of white vinegar
1 tbspn cornstarch
2 cups of warm water
1 spray bottle - you can purchase these on the cleaning isle at Target or Walmart or just use an old Glass Cleaner bottle like I did- rinse it out well with warm water.

Simply dilute the cornstarch in your warm water and then pour it into the spray bottle along with the other 2 ingredients and shake to mix well.
Make sure you shake well each time before using so that the solution mixes well and this also helps the sprayer to stay unclogged.

Want another neat tip for cleaning windows and glass? Crumple up an old black and white newspaper sheet and wipe the cleaner off with that instead of a rag. It makes is sparkle and shine!!!!

This glass cleaner costs about .50 per bottle to make and is non-toxic and better for you . . . not to mention the SpArKly mirrors and windows you now have :)!

More cleaning posts to come!!! Stay tuned!